Statement on Charlottesville

21 Sep Statement on Charlottesville

As an organization dedicated to advancing civil and human rights, eliminating gender-based violence, and advocating for survivors, the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault expresses a collective outpouring of outrage and sorrow at the “Unite the Right” white supremacist hate rally that occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia.

We denounce and condemn racism, hatred, bigotry, anti-Semitism, homophobia and xenophobia. We stand by our sisters and brothers who experience these forms of oppression everyday both overtly and subtly. We understand that the horrific event that happened in Charlottesville is symptomatic of a larger problem, one that is deeply rooted in our history and we must not be silent about it and allow it to persist.

We re-commit ourselves to being an anti-racist organization that seeks to dismantle all forms of oppression. We understand that in order to truly end sexual violence we must dismantle all forms of oppression.

Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of Heather Heyer, who was murdered at the rally and to all people who were viciously injured at the rally and to all who experienced harm as a result of this detestable rally.

NYSCASA stands in solidarity with those seeking justice for lives compromised and lost due to violence in all of our communities. We collectively choose not to be silent, and we invite all programs to learn how to support and give voice to those who have been victimized. We join communities of color and other marginalized communities in resisting violence and structures that, rather than heal these communities, harm and wound them.

To that end, NYSCASA will collectively use all of our networks and outlets to raise our voices, bring attention to injustice, and work toward real social change. Working together, with that intention, we can build movements that deliver on the promise of justice for ALL. We ask that other white allies join us in committing to this as well. It is important for us to acknowledge white supremacy and its impact, speak out against it even when it’s uncomfortable and to challenge one another, our institutions and society as a whole to dismantle this white supremacist culture, which is inherently harmful.

If you are committed to engaging further in this work, please consider coming to our conference, which features a racial justice institute. Details can be found on our website. In addition to that, please continue to visit our website to learn more about additional efforts.

Get Help

If you have been sexually assaulted–call the New York State Hotline for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.